Absolutely brilliant

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Others have already reviewed this film in depth. In brief: I agree with the general opinion that this is a nice little picture that's old-fashioned in several ways, most of them positive, a few a little embarrassing. But it's well worth the watch, and with its large-audience appeal and loving attention to Canadian detail, a welcome addition to the Canadian oeuvre.I just want to draw particular attention to one truly break-out performance: that of Campbell Scott as the young priest. This is probably the most realistic portrayal of an actual young teaching priest I've ever seen in the movies. Generally directors either go with sticky-sweet or spuriously bitter and cruel (c.f., the school director in this film). But in real life, most of the young priests I've known are like Scott's: sardonic, sincere, bold, a little bored, comfortable with their students, game, and apparently (or overtly) wondering if they've chosen the wrong life path. It's worth watching this movie just to see Scott and his director nail this character. Also: props to the production crew for getting the priestly vestments right. Clergy don't dress like that any more, but they totally did then, and it was a major part of their presence.

I could simply start this review by saying "Do you like Rudy?" If you like Rudy's road to play one faithful football Match for Notre Dame , I have no doubt you will be equally touched by young Ralph's Journey. The film tells the story of teenager Ralph who is a bit of a waster.He his your typical 14 year old , struggling with puberty , awkward and having a hard time to fit in the Catholic environment of his school. Ralph has another issue , his mother is in hospital suffering from Cancer.Ralph his hiding the fact that he his living all on his own by having a friend forge his grandparents signatures for all school related letters. Things takes a turn to the worse when Ralph's mum falls into a coma and he his informed it will take a miracle to wake her up. Ralph who was forced into taking on running as a sport by his teachers (as a way of keeping his raging hormones in check) although he has no athletic ability believes this miracle can come in the shape of winning the Boston Marathon. There is also a couple of side stories I just don't want to spoil for you. This is a very heart warming film about a typical kid who find he his gifted through the love for his mother. Adam Butcher really shines as the titular hero , he feels like a real 14 year old and gives a very honest performance.He his a very likable lead and you will root for him from the get go. The best thing about this film is that it avoids being over- sentimental, it keeps it's feet firmly on the ground. The supporting actors are all wonderful and Jennifer Tilly gives a very different type of performance then what we are used to. The soundtrack for this film is FANTASTIC , really , I probably went and searched for every wonderful song included in this film. As the late Roger Ebert called it , this film is a real gem and the perfect film if you need something to boost your moral! I give it a 9 out of 10.

There is a whole lot of lessons to be learned from watching Saint Ralph. The main message is anything is possible through hard work and faith in God, as shown in the movie. Even though Ralph loses the race he comes within a hair length of winning by finishing 2nd place. All that hard work sure made his mother proud and we see in the end that she does come out of her coma, even if it is only briefly. It shows that anything is possible with a little faith and hard work.This movie is much better than the senseless horror or extreme violence films being produced. There needs to be more inspirational innocent movies like this out there.

When i bought the DVD i had never heard of this picture. I didn't know if it was going to be good or bad. I just wanted to see a movie about running.I just saw saint ralph for the fourth time and i gotte confess this movie is better more inspiring than Chariots of fire. Alright, it is no rocky but yet, it never tries to be. And this is why it works. Sometimes it is very good that a movie does not take itself too seriously. I mean, the story is not very realistic. And I'm not talking about whether it is possible that a boy can whin the marathon or not, I'm talking about Ralhp. What Child would behave like Ralph does, when his mother is on the edge of death??? But that doesn't matter, because saint ralph actually is at no time a drama, it is always satisfied with being a comedy. Thus it rises from a comedy and becomes an inspiring story at times, and when it doesn't you don't really care, cause you're not looking at it as a drama, but as a comedy. In the end it is 8/10 in every aspect. The acting, the dialouge, the soundtrack, and the directing. No outstanding achievement but always definitely above average.